In 2024, the number of people who chose euthanasia to end their lives rose by 10% compared to the previous year, according to official data released on Monday.
Last year, 9,958 individuals in the Netherlands opted for euthanasia, which is a 10% increase from 2023, as reported by the Regional Euthanasia Committees (RTE) that monitor the procedure. Over 86% of those who chose euthanasia had serious physical conditions, such as cancer or lung diseases, while more than 400 individuals (4.3%) suffered from dementia, and over 200 (2.2%) had mental health disorders.
Among nearly 10,000 cases, the six Regional Euthanasia Committees identified irregularities, including a case where a woman with a disorder agreed to the procedure without consulting an independent psychiatrist. Additionally, last year, there were 54 instances of so-called double euthanasia, where two individuals, usually spouses, who were terminally ill, ended their lives together.
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia in 2002, allowing doctors to end patients’ lives under strict conditions by administering a lethal dose of medication or providing them with special drugs.
